Crystal Bowersox Sets Broadway Date as Patsy Cline

The Hollywood Reporter -- NEW YORK -- Crystal Bowersox's Broadway debut as one of country music's greatest female vocalists in Always... Patsy Cline starts previews in July for an August opening.

Jimmy Burke and Jeff Cohen of Burke-Cohen Entertainment are lead producers on the show, written by Ted Swindley and directed by Tony winner John Rando (Urinetown: The Musical). Set design is by Anna Louizos, currently represented on Broadway with Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella and The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

Starring alongside Bowersox will be Annette O'Toole as Cline's most devoted fan, Louise Seger. The bio-musical tells the story of their enduring friendship, featuring such hits as "Crazy," "Walkin' After Midnight," "I Fall to Pieces, "Sweet Dreams" and "Back in Baby's Arms." The centerpiece of the show is Cline's 1961 concert at Houston's Esquire Ballroom, where she and Seger met.

"Crystal is the ideal performer to play Patsy Cline," said Cohen. "In what amounts to a life-imitates-art twist, Patsy Cline was discovered on The Arthur Godfrey Show, the number one TV talent show of its day. And Crystal was discovered on American Idol, the number one TV talent show today."

After landing breakout exposure as the runner-up on season nine of Idol, Bowersox released her debut album, Farmer's Daughter. Her second album, All That For This, is out today.

The Broadway production of Always... Patsy Cline is timed to mark the 50th anniversary of the recording artist's death. Exact opening date, theater and additional creative team will be announced in the coming weeks.